August 26, 2013

A rampaging wildfire in northern California that has already become one of the largest in that state’s history is expected to grow even bigger as difficult terrain, strong winds, and extremely dry conditions continue to thwart firefighters. As of this morning, the Rim Fire, which began on August 17, had scorched nearly 150,000 acres (60,700 hectares)–an area about the size of Chicago–and was only 15 percent contained. At least 3,000 firefighters were battling the fire on a number of fronts, aided by water and fire retardants dropped by helicopters and airborne tankers. The fire “has continued to pose every challenge that there can be on a fire,” a spokesperson with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told the Washington Post. The fire is so large and ferocious that it is creating its own weather, the spokesperson said. “As the smoke column builds up it breaks down and collapses inside of itself, sending downdrafts and gusts that can go in any direction. There’s a lot of potential for this one to continue to grow.”

The Rim Fire is burning largely out of control in northern California, including parts of Yosemite National Park. (NASA)

The fire is also threatening power and water supplies to San Francisco, which is about 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the western edge of the blaze. Damage to electric power lines from two of the three hydroelectric power stations serving the city led California Governor Jerry Brown on August 23 to declare a state of emergency for the San Francisco Bay area. The city kept its electric power grid operational by purchasing power from other suppliers. On Sunday, the fire moved within several miles of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, which supplies about 85 percent of San Francisco’s fresh water. Officials were continually monitoring the reservoir’s water quality, which so far has been unaffected by falling ash.

The intense heat of the fire is threatening Yosemite's giant sequoias. (InciWeb/US Forest Service)

The fire has also overrun at least 15,000 acres (6,070 hectares) of the northwestern corner of Yosemite National Park. Campers and park staff have been evacuated from the affected area. Of particular concern to park officials are two of Yosemite’s famed stands of giant sequoias. Sequoias have a thick bark that protects them from fire, and they need fire to release their seeds and burn surrounding vegetation so new trees can spout. However, the Rim Fire is so hot that the trees’ canopies could be damaged. “All of the plants and trees in Yosemite are important, but the giant sequoias are incredibly important for what they are and as symbols of the National Park System,” a park spokesperson told the Associated Press.

Additional World Book articles:

• Forest fire
• Muir, John
• Sequoia National Park
• Sequoyah
• Why Forests Need to Burn (a special report)

May 29, 2013

A wildfire in Los Padres National Forest in California’s Santa Barbara County had by the afternoon of May 28 burned across some 1,800 acres (730 hectares) in less than 24 hours. More than 550 firefighters–from the county, area cities, and U.S. Forest Service–continued to battle the so-called White Fire, which was 65 percent contained as of late last night, reported officials at the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management.

A smoke jumper parachutes into a burning wildland area (place with land in its natural state) to fight a fire. Such firefighters are able to reach fires in remote areas that would be difficult to access by other means. (© Mike McMillan, Spotfire Images)

Southern California is in the middle of a drought, and the vegetation that is fueling the fire is extremely dry. In addition, the fire is being driven by winds of between 20 and 30 miles (32 and 48 kilometers) per hour. The National Weather Service was predicting continuing gusts of from 45 to 65 miles (72 and 105 kilometers) per hour. Officials estimate that from 2,000 to 3,000 people have evacuated the area since the fire broke out on the afternoon of May 27.

Additional World Book articles:

• When the Rain Stops (a special report)
• Why Forests Need to Burn (a special report)